Upcoming dramatic thriller ‘31st October’, which revolves around a Sikh family’s struggle for survival during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has been facing issues ever since the film went on floors and a few days before the release of the film, the makers are yet to heave a sigh of relief.
Not only is the film facing challenges in courts (a PIL seeking ban on the film was recently filed at the Delhi High Court), but it now seems that a scene from the film, which ostensibly hints at the involvement of senior Congress leaders in the riots, has been leaked, causing much opposition to the film from various quarters. Now, frustrated with such obstacles in the path of the film’s release, the makers of the film have launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #IStandWith31stOctober, through which the makers aim to garner public support on social media.
A source attached to the film said, “The scene has been deliberately leaked by someone to create more hassles for our film days before its release and we are contemplating filing of a police complaint in this regard so that the authorities can investigate and apprehend the mischief-monger responsible for the leak. Social media is a very powerful tool in today’s age and we hope to seek ample support from the youth of this country, who wish to know about the darkest chapter in the history of this country.”
Writer-producer Harry Sachdeva says, “We have been facing issues since the time we have started shooting the film and this is not completely unexpected, however the leak does imply that the people who oppose the film can stoop to any low. But we don’t want to bow down to such threats and we are going to the public for support. We have started a movement called #IStandWith31stOctober and with growing support each day we will grow stronger and preserve our basic right to creativity and expression. My focus will not get disturbed, I was very clear when I started making the film and my vision is still the same, this subject is a must to be brought to the world and cinema is the appropriate medium. I am having opposition , but I am also receiving a lot of support and appreciation from across the globe , hence the film will be released on 21st October worldwide.”
Produced by writer-producer Harry Sachdeva and Magical Dreams Productions Pvt Ltd, co-produced by Anand Prakash, directed by National award winner Shivaji Lotan Patil, and released by Panorama Studios, ‘31st October’, which stars Vir Das and Soha Ali Khan, is slated to release on October 21.
